The Pick of the Litter: Kitty Litter and Odor

Chances are if you are a cat owner then you are all too familiar with smelly kitty litter. So why is it so hard to get rid of kitty litter odor? It has to do with Uric Acid. Uric acid is one of the main components of cat urine. It is what gives off that horrible smell. The problem comes when uric acid crystallizes. It creates a strong bond to whatever material it is on, and it does not dissolve in water. So this makes for a very difficult odor to remove.

One way to mask kitty litter odor is to buy a good litter that works to mask odor.

6 best recommended kitty litters:

Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Litter
World's Best Cat Litter-made from corn and biodegradable.
Odor Lockers - Fresh Scent Clumping Litter-made from wood and biodegradable.
Fresh Step Premium Scoopable Clumping Litter
Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat "Cat Attract" Litter
PETCO Scoopable Cat Litter
What are the advantages of organic, biodegradable cat litters over fine-grained, clumping clay litters? Unlike clay kitty litters, biodegradable cat litter (made of everything from corn to pine wood to recycled newspapers) can be flushed down the toilet or used as mulch or compost. Some owners also claim these litters do a better job of controlling odors.

You may want to consider a biodegradable cat litter with a new kitten. Cats are notorious creatures of habit, so if yours has been using a specific type or brand of litter for years, it will be very difficult to get it to switch. For that reason, owners report better success using biodegradable cat litter with young cats.

Also try preventative odor absorption methods. Sprinkling baking soda on top of litter absorbs the uric acid upon contact. Make sure to scoop litter on a daily basis. Not only will this make you happy, but kitty will also be happy. Keep kitty-area clean. Personally, I am a fan of enzyme products to kill odor. Enzymes work in nature as catalysts, speeding up the process to kill odor.

Cat boxes come in all shapes and sizes. We are fortunate to have options to see what works for your feline friend. Specialty pet stores sell electronic litter boxes making it possible to never touch litter again. However, some cats will be frightened by a litter box that makes noise. If this isn't an option for your cat, line your litter pan with a pan-liner.

Remember that cats are sensitive to their environment. Cats will actually refuse a dirty litter box. Keeping your cat happy will ultimately lead to a happier nine lives.

Choosing the Right Cat Litter

For some, many different aspects can appeal to one's self in choosing the right cat litter for your feline friend. If this is your first time caring for a cat, walking into the pet aisle where you have never been before at your local grocery store may be a bit overwhelming. A little research before venturing out can go a long way. Not only will it save you time, but knowing the facts before you buy may also save you money!

Some people have the initial reaction of going directly to the cheapest cat litter available. This may be fine for most cats, but are you aware there are some cats that may have an allergic reaction to said pet litter? A pricier alternative would be to purchase a brand consisting of cat litter made up of gray cardboard or paper clusters.

With today's unpredictable economy, buying the all natural or organic cat litter may not be an option. You may be wondering, what else is there to do? If your cat does not have an allergy and you are simply concerned with their hygienic well-being, might I suggest involving a litter scoop into your cat litter box cleaning routine? No, you don't have to stand over your cat, waiting for him or her to finish their business so you can pounce on what they've produced as soon as they leave, but you'd be surprised how utilizing a litter scoop in maintaining your cat's litter box can stretch out how much you are having to spend.

Another suggestion would be to buy in bulk. You may be tempted to buy the smaller sizes since the larger bags can be quite heavy and awkward to carry, but you will wind up paying for it in the end. With almost any item you go to purchase, you will find that the larger the size, the less you are paying per measurement. So buckle on down and remember to bend at the knees!